Puppy before 12 weeks

[OurLittleLady]

How many of you got your pups before 12 weeks? If so how old were they? how did they do? In hind sight would you do it again?

[Lovetodream88]

Pups who leave there moms before 12 weeks have a higher risk of biting issues and socialization issues. They also are at a higher risk not to eat and end up become hypoglycemic. A reputable breeder wants what is best for there puppies and will not let there puppies go before 12 weeks. Generally if the breeder is skipping the extremely important step of letting the pups go before 12 weeks then you can bet they are skipping out on other steps including health testing and knowing the genetics of the lines. You are setting your self up for heart break and the possibility of some serious health issues that could cost you thousands of dollars. We also should not support these non reputable breeders because they are not doing what tis best for the breed. They are not bettering the breed, they are having puppies who end up having to suffer there whole life with painful terrible issues, they are helping to make this health issues rise and they are not doing what is best for these dogs. It may seem like a small thing, letting the pup go before 12 weeks but it normally leads to a whole lot of a bigger issue.

[OurLittleLady]

I am actually only curious of first hand experiences of people getting their puppies before 12 weeks. I got my first yorkie at 7 weeks because I had no idea that it wasn't okay. She has been very healthy,no health issues at all and a perfect addition to our family. I'm just curious if others had similar experiences or if it was a fluke. Not sure I would recommend others to do it because it is quite an undertaking to take care of such a young puppy and make sure they are eating, sleeping etc but for me I can't imagine not having those weeks before 12 weeks either. She has bonded so well with our whole family and I'm curious if that has anything to do with getting her so young.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by OurLittleLady

I am actually only curious of first hand experiences of people getting their puppies before 12 weeks. I got my first yorkie at 7 weeks because I had no idea that it wasn't okay. She has been very healthy,no health issues at all and a perfect addition to our family. I'm just curious if others had similar experiences or if it was a fluke. Not sure I would recommend others to do it because it is quite an undertaking to take care of such a young puppy and make sure they are eating, sleeping etc but for me I can't imagine not having those weeks before 12 weeks either. She has bonded so well with our whole family and I'm curious if that has anything to do with getting her so young.

A lot of health issues don't pop up until 2 years old and there are people who do get lucky but supporting bad breeders is really not the best thing. There are rescue dogs who are several years old who bond massively with there new owners so age is not what makes a dog bond better or not.

[ColesMommy01]

I have 3 now . And I'm done! Lol. I got my oldest at a little over 12 weeks last two before 12 weeks. As far as bonding, my girl(Veau) and oldest male (Rasta who I picked up at over 12 weeks) have bonded very well and I don't see any difference in terms of them being affectionate.Although Veau is more independent and Ras loves to be with his mommy, they both have to have me within their sights at all times. My newest boy, Samedi, we've only had since Friday so he's still warming up to us plus he's really mellow character wise. While my other two act like spawns of the devil at times. He's not as attached to me, but he loooooves my husband and all his gadgets(no accounting for taste *sniff*). Veau is the most bitey out of all three. Rasta I've had for almost two years and I can't really remember. Samedi is just a sweetheart...so far. They're all healthy, so far, but I have to watch Medi like a hawk since he picks over his food at times. Would I get another puppy younger than 12 weeks, but at least 8? Yes, but only because I'm a SAHM and I can watch them all the time. Also, because they were all(excluding Rasta) on the larger side weight wise.

[Dudley's Mom]

I got Mickey at 8 weeks but they told me he was 9 weeks old. When I got his first shots I figured out that he was only 8 weeks. He has been a wonderful godsend to me and the best puppy I ever had. He was completely trained to potty pad in a couple days. He eats anything I give him but really loves Wellness kibble with a little canned Simply Nourish on top. He is very affectionate and mellow and a wonderful little buddy.

[JadeD]

I got my puppies at 12 weeks. They were pretty big though weighing 3 lb 8 oz and 3 lb 14 oz. I also took siblings so they had each other and did not have separation anxiety from their mom or litter mates.

I did not have issues with them not eating or them being lonely so it worked out great for us. I would not have wanted them any younger.

I got them when I did because they were located 11 hours away and we were going up there for a graduation so we went ahead and brought them home because it would have been another month before I could get back up there and they were ready to go.

I would recommend at least 10-11 weeks, but if they were smaller I would say leave them until 12 weeks. My puppies have been well socialized and adapted very well to having a new home. They are very easy going though and not afraid of things.

[Disasterous]

I got mine at 8 weeks and he did very well when it came to eating. The only issue we had was play biting when we first brought him home. It took a couple of days, but it was easy to correct and he ended up being a lovely addition to the family. He loved people and other animals and had no health issues at all. I wouldn't recommend getting a puppy before 10-12 weeks, but it's not the end of the world if you do.

[Dayswalters]

Originally Posted by Disasterous

I got mine at 8 weeks and he did very well when it came to eating. The only issue we had was play biting when we first brought him home. It took a couple of days, but it was easy to correct and he ended up being a lovely addition to the family. He loved people and other animals and had no health issues at all. I wouldn't recommend getting a puppy before 10-12 weeks, but it's not the end of the world if you do.

This is in past tense...did he pass away?

[chickensmith]

Our Cassie (tiny chihuahua mix) came home to me at 5 weeks. Mama was getting aggressive towards them and not nursing them anymore....she was barely a pound when I took her. She did just fine....never had a biting issue (chewing things YES) and she weaned to puppy food just fine. But...she was the best doggie ever on the face of the planet ;-) we lost her 3 1/2 years ago at 13 years to bone cancer. I know it's recommended to leave them with mom and litter mates until 12 weeks but I wanted to share that I had a similar experience as you. I believe it was a luck of the draw!

[MissSunni]

I got my Yorkie puppy when she was 9 - 10 weeks, but only because she was a rescue headed for a shelter. The byb didn't want to spend money fixing a birth defect. She wasn't tiny though and has done very well considering all her health issues. Ideally I do think its best for the puppy to stay with her mom and mates until 12 weeks, but there are always circumstances where its best for the puppy to be with a dedicated family. 5 weeks would scare me, but its seems like your lil puppy is doing great. I think the worst thing was the play biting thing. I honestly didnt think it would ever stop, lol. Then all of the sudden I noticed it wasn't even an isssue any longer. That just took some time teaching her to play properly.

[Dayswalters]

There is a recent thread on here about a puppy that wouldn't eat. The OP got it at 7 weeks and it died 3 weeks later. The OP thinks it had a liver shunt but will probably never know for sure.

[matese]

I have had 2 Poodles, 2 mini Schnauzers, 4 yorkies all gotten at 8 weeks old. Yes they were nippy puppies but that was ok because, I like nippy babies lol. All of these puppies were socialized well by ME. loved ppl, and all varieties of animals, were very healthy, not one of them refused to eat on their first day in their new home. All lived to 13 y/o and over. As seniors 10 y/o they developed health issues, which is to be expected. Would I get another puppy today at 8 weeks old, YES. Would I recommend to someone to get a 8 week old pup NO. Some ppl cannot deal with wild nippy puppies. If the momma teaches puppies socialization, not to nip and bite for some ppl that would be a good thing. I have never gotten a puppy at 12 weeks old to compare how 12 weeks old is compared to being 8 weeks old. This is my personal experience and JUST my opinion.

[JadeD]

I just saw my previous post and realized that I wrote it wrong. I got my puppies at 10 weeks. They are currently 12 weeks now.

They have done really well, however they are not little puppies. They are charting to be 7-9 lb full grown so were 3 1/2 pounds when I brought them home. They were eating great, still eat great. They are full of energy and seem very healthy.

Getting 2 of them helped with them not being lonely and missing their siblings and mama. Of course mine were the last 2 left for the last week or so they were there because the other people had gotten their puppies already.

They are doing great, but if they had been tiny I think they would have done better if they had stayed until 12 weeks. Our of 5 puppies I got the 2nd largest and 2nd smallest.

[OurLittleLady]

Originally Posted by Dayswalters

There is a recent thread on here about a puppy that wouldn't eat. The OP got it at 7 weeks and it died 3 weeks later. The OP thinks it had a liver shunt but will probably never know for sure.

I did see that post but it appears that pup had some other issues going on and there was another one from last week as well but the pups were in bad health coming from a puppy mill with fleas and parasites and various health problems.